Once constructed, this fenced, off-leash dog park will become a park under the City of Fredericksburg Parks & Recreation Department and will be available for all well-behaved canines and their responsible owners. The dog park will be ADA accessible with separate areas for large dogs and small dogs (25 lbs. or fewer), and it will provide shade, water, and seating with plenty of room for dogs to run, socialize & play.

OP ______: Animals on Campus

DATE: March 1, 2014

PURPOSE:Thepurposeofthis OperatingPolicy/Procedure(OP)is to recognize that owners of Domestic Animals may desire to bring those animals to the campus; users of Service Animals or Service Animals in Training may find it necessary to bring those animals on campus; and Feral or Wild Animals may select the campus landscape as their habitat. In consideration of the personal safety and well-being of the Texas Tech University community, and in accordance with applicable state and federal laws, this Policy establishes requirements for accessibility, behavior, and treatment of animals on campus.

REVIEW: ThisOPwillbereviewedin March of eachyearbythe associate vice president of research integrity (AVPRI), the assistant vice president for Operations, the managing director for University Housing and the Texas Tech Chief of Police. Substantive revisions will be forwarded to the vicepresidentforadministrationandfinanceandchieffinancialofficer.

POLICY/PROCEDURES

1. General Purpose

Domestic and wild animals are not permitted in University buildings, except for police dogs, search and rescue dogs, service animals in training, service animals used by individuals with disabilities, animals for which permission has been granted by OP 61.38, and animals used in research or demonstration as part of a University program. Owners of service animals must obtain permission from the Office of Services to Students with Disabilities prior to entering University buildings.

Definitions

Domestic Animal. Those species of animals that normally and customarily share human habitat and are normally dependent on humans for food and shelter, including dogs, cats, and other common domestic animals, but not including feral or wild animals as defined below. Service Animals and Service Animals in Training are not considered Domestic Animals for the purpose of this Policy.

Feral Animal. A once-domesticated animal that has reverted to an untamed state.

Service Animal. An animal that is trained to perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The tasks may include, but are not limited to, guiding a person who is visually impaired or blind, alerting a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, pulling a wheelchair, assisting with mobility or balance, alerting or protecting a person who is having a seizure, retrieving objects, or performing other special tasks. A service animal is not a pet.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) provides that businesses and other entities that serve the public must allow people with disabilities to bring their Service Animals into all areas of the facility where customers or other members of the public are normally allowed to go. (For additional information, please refer to OP 34.22)

Service Animals in Training. An animal in training to become a Service Animal is an animal accompanied by a person who is training the Service Animal and the animal is wearing a collar and leash, harness, or cape that identifies the animal as a Service Animal in Training.

Emotional Support Animal (or “Comfort Animal”). An animal selected or prescribed to an individual with a disability by a healthcare or mental health professional to play a significant part in a person’s treatment, e.g., in alleviating the symptoms of that individual’s disability. An emotional support animal does not assist a person with a disability with activities of daily living, and does not accompany a person with a disability at all times. An emotional support animal is not a “Service Animal”.

Stray Animals. Any domesticated animal on campus that is not under physical restraint, i.e., leashed or caged, whether accompanied by a person or not.

Wild Animal. A non-domesticated animal living in its natural habitat.

Building. University controlled, leased, or owned structure.

Handler. Individual who brings an animal or service animal into a University building or onto University property. The handler may also be the animal’s owner.

Real property. University controlled, leased, or owned land.

Restrained. Physical confinement, or under competent voice control when an animal is engaged in a recognized animal activity or form of training requiring that it not be physically confined.

Domestic Animals

Responsibilities

Any faculty, staff, student or community member who wishes to bring an animal other than an animal covered by OP 61.38 (police dogs, service animals, etc.) onto campus is subject to the following responsibilities and restrictions:

Animals in Texas Tech Buildings, please refer to OP 61.38.

Evidence must be available upon request that, in the case of an adult dog, the dog has received obedience training.

Dogs must be kept on a leash in all areas of the University except during approved events for which it is necessary that the animal not be restrained by a leash, training classes, or when the dog is contained in a crate or cage.

A valid rabies tag must be worn at all times by any dog on university property.

Fecal matter deposited by animals on University property must be removed immediately by the owner of the animal depositing such. Any damage, staining, discoloration, odor, or other result of the animal’s waste deposit will be repaired or resolved to bring affected area back to University standards. The owner of the animal is responsible for all costs necessary to effect repairs.

All animals brought onto University grounds must be licensed and fully inoculated in accordance with Lubbock County regulations, if such licensing is required by Lubbock County, with the burden of proving licensure and inoculation status on the owner/handler.

Animals are not permitted in flower gardens/beds or fountains.

Pets, with the exception of fish (up to 5 gallon tank) are not allowed to visit or be kept in residence hall rooms.

Restrictions

Individuals are not allowed to bring wild animals or animals that are not domesticated onto university property is prohibited (OP 61.38), unless otherwise covered with OP 61.38.

If any aspect or circumstance of the condition, health, or behavior of any animal on campus is deemed by the University to be a threat to the health or safety of any member of the campus community or to any other animal, then that animal may be removed from campus in any manner deemed necessary by University officials. Such action may be taken even if the animal posing a threat would otherwise be permitted on campus under this Policy. Animals on campus whose condition, health, or behavior appears to present a threat to the health or safety of any member of the campus community or to any other animal should be reported to the Texas Tech Police Department.

Disruption of the University education process, administrative process, or other University function by any animal will require that the animal be removed from University property immediately by the owner or handler.

The owner of any animal found in any university facility where animals are not allowed will be required to remove the animal immediately. Failure to comply with this request will result in the animal being impounded. Any animal causing a nuisance will be subject to impoundment and the owner may be cited under city of Lubbock ordinances. Owners of impounded animals will be held responsible for payment of any impound and/or license fees required to secure the release of their animal(s).

Owners of animals on university property shall be liable for the expense of all damages caused by the animal(s).

No animal shall be maintained overnight in any University building which is not designated as approved housing (e.g. vivaria) for the animal. Research animal housing can be approved through the Institute for Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). (Please refer to OP 74.11 for additional information)

Unattended animals found secured or restrained outside a University building will be removed by University Police or by the City of Lubbock Animal Control. The presence of any animal in any motor vehicle without proper food, water, ventilation, or subjected to extreme temperatures that could affect its health or safety, will be reported to the City of Lubbock Animal Control

Sighting of injured or potentially dangerous wild animals (e.g. Opossums, skunks, coyotes) on University property should be reported to the Texas Tech Police Department and/or the Environmental Health and Safety Department. Wild animals threatening other animals or humans should be reported to the Texas Tech Police Department immediately.

For removal of carcasses found on University property, during regular business hours (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday) contact the Environmental Health and Safety Department (742-3876), and during evening and weekend hours contact the Emergency Maintenance Office (742-3328).

Horses shall not be ridden on any campus property that is developed or landscaped, unless prior approval has been granted by the appropriate office (i.e. the mascot).

Stray animals should be reported immediately to the Texas Tech Police Department. Stray animals on campus grounds or in buildings will be turned over to the City of Lubbock Animal Control.

Service and Search & Rescue

If an individual’s need for a Service Animal and the qualifications of the animal are not obvious, the individual may be asked: (a) whether the animal is required because of a disability; and (b) what work or task(s) the animal has been individually trained to perform.

Individuals with disabilities shall be permitted to be accompanied by their Service Animals in all areas of the University’s grounds and facilities where members of the public, participants in services, programs or activities, or invitees are allowed to go. (Please refer to OP 34.22)

A Service Animal shall be under the control of its handler. A service animal shall have a harness, leash, or other tether, unless either the handler is unable because of a disability to use a harness, leash, or other tether, or the use of a harness, leash or other tether would interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of work or tasks, in which case the service animal must be otherwise under the handler’s control (e.g., voice control, signals, or other effective means).

If a Service Animal is properly excluded under the foregoing provision, the individual with a disability shall be given the opportunity to participate in the service, program, or activity without having the Service Animal on the premises.

The University is not responsible for the care or supervision of a Service Animal. Accordingly, if a person with a disability remains on the premises after his or her Service Animal is properly excluded, it is that person’s responsibility to make arrangements for the animal’s care and supervision.

Search and Rescue animals may accompany its handler onto campus grounds and, if necessary, into campus facilities to assist in search and rescue operations.

Feral and Wild Animals

Feral or wild animals that are not a risk and do not represent a hazard, cause property damage, or create a public nuisance, and that do not require human intervention, may inhabit the campus grounds.

Feral or wild animals that are a potential risk, represent a hazard, cause property damage, create a nuisance, or otherwise pose a potential threat to the health or safety of humans will be regulated, controlled, and/or humanely relocated in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Feral or wild animals may not be brought into campus buildings.

No person may do anything to attract animals to campus nor may any person feed or set out food or water for animals on campus, or engage in any similar human interventions. The SGA sponsored, Lubbock registered feral cat colony is regulated under OP .

If an animal is exhibiting dangerous or destructive behavior or posing an immediate threat, please notify the Texas Tech Police Department immediately. The Texas Tech Police Department will monitor the animal until Texas Wildlife Control or other appropriate parties are contacted and arrive on the scene. If the animal is deemed a threat and immediate intervention is required, the Texas Tech Police Department may elect to remove the threat.

DATE: March 1, 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose o fthis Operating Policy/Procedure (OP) is to establish the guidelines for the successful control and management of the Texas Tech University feral cat colony.

REVIEW: This OP will be reviewed in March of each year by the associate vice president of research integrity (AVPRI), the Texas Tech Chief of Police and the assistant vice president of Operations Division, with substantive revisions forwarded to vice president for administration and finance and chief financial officer.

POLICY/PROCEDURES

General Purpose

The intent of this policy is to outline and establish guidelines for the successful control and management of the campus feral cat colony. In addition, a committee of campus delegates will oversee the management of the colony.

Feral cat colonies are a natural part of any inner city habitat. This OP is set out to manage, control and sustain a healthy, non-threatening co-habitation of the feral cat population and the campus community.

Committee Appointment and Composition

The Feral Cat Management Committee (FCMC) will be composed of five members. The assistant vice president for operations division will chair the committee. The assistant vice president for operations will appoint one other delegate, either from the Texas Tech University community, Lubbock community, Texas Tech University Student body or Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. The current president of the Texas Tech University Feral Cat Coalition (TTUFC) will sit on the committee with up to two co-sponsors of record for the sanctioned Student Government Association (SGA) organization.

Committee Operations

The assistant vice president for operations will set a meeting each semester (fall, spring and summer) to review the current status, needs and requirements of the Texas Tech University campus, campus community and the feral cat population.

All communications to any individuals or groups including the Texas Tech Feral Cat Coalition, the Lubbock community or any other entity will be through the SGA President of the Texas Tech University Feral Cat Coalition.

If permissible or available, the Texas Tech University feral cat population must be a registered feral cat colony with the City of Lubbock. A copy of record must be filed with the assistant vice president for operations.

The Texas Tech University Feral Cat Coalition must be a registered Student Government Association.

Feeding Stations:

All feeding stations, the station itself and the locations, must be approved by the FCMC and will be the responsibility of the Texas Tech University Feral Cat Coalition. (Attachment A)

All stations must have a sign (provided at no charge by the Texas Tech University Operations Division) securely attached to the station designating it as an approved Texas Tech University feral cat feeding station.

All stations must be kept clean, presentable, covered with access for the cats and must be changed out when broken, or showing signs of normal wear and tear.

Procedures for feeding stations set up within prohibited areas:

The Texas Tech University Feral Cat Coalition President and co-sponsors of record will be notified. There will be a 24 hour time period to correct the violation.

If after 24 hours the violation is not corrected, the Operations Division will pick up and dispose of the feeding station.

Repeat offenses will be dealt with to the extent allowable by the Texas State Law and the Texas Tech University System.

Any form of food distributed on the ground, placed within ground cover or any other areas not allowed by this policy will be confiscated and disposed of accordingly.

Feeding stations are only allowed in the FCMC approved locations.

Feeding stations will not be allowed within 600 feet of the following locations:

Residence and/or dining hall(s)

Human Sciences Cottage

Child Development and Research Center

Animal Science

The Burkhart Center

Student Union Building

Or any location with access to children, USDA regulations, d___ facilities, student housing or any area deemed not acceptable due to review or accreditation status.

Winter Shelters:

Winter shelters may only be provided during the winter months and within FCMC approved locations. (Attachment B)

Shelters must be kept clean, presentable, covered with access for the cats and must be changed out when broken, or showing signs of normal wear and tear.

Procedures for winter shelters set up within prohibited areas:

The Texas Tech University Feral Cat Coalition President and co-sponsors of record will be notified. There will be a 24 hour time period to correct the violation.

If after 24 hours the violation is not corrected, the Operations Division will pick up and dispose of the shelter.

Repeat offenses will be dealt with to the extent allowable by the Texas State Law and the Texas Tech University System.

All shelters must have a sign (provided at no charge by the Texas Tech University Operations Division) securely attached to the station designating it is an approved Texas Tech University feral cat feeding station.

Any other form of shelter materials distributed on the ground, placed within ground cover or any other areas not allowed by this policy will be confiscated and disposed of accordingly.

Feeding stations or winter shelters provided by students, staff or faculty not approved or coordinated through FCMC are prohibited. It will be the responsibility of the Texas Tech University Feral Cat Coalition to work with these individuals to abide by the policies stated within this OP. If any individual does not adhere to or abide by the policies and procedures herein, Texas Tech University may act to enforce these policies to the extent allowed by Texas State Law and the Texas Tech University System Operating Policies.

For the safety of the cats and the Texas Tech University community, cats are not allowed within, under or on top of the Texas Tech University building(s). If a cat(s) is identified within a prohibited area, it is the responsibility of the Texas Tech University Feral Cat Coalition President to coordinate with the Operations Division to trap and remove any identified cat(s). This includes mechanical rooms, the tunnel system, crawl spaces, cellars, basements or attics. If, after being contacted by the Operations Division, the President of the TTUFCC is not able to or is unwilling to trap and relocate these cats within 24 hours, the Operations Division has the right to safely, humanely, and professionally trap and relocate the identified animals.

It is the goal of the Texas Tech University Feral Cat Coalition and Texas Tech University to trap, spray or neuter, and vaccinate all feral cats on campus. Any cat showing signs of nursing or taking care of a litter may be excluded from this requirement.

It is the responsibility of the Texas Tech Feral Cat Coalition to maintain accurate information on the feral cat population to include but not limited to: total number of animals, locations and territories, and the number and identity of spayed, neutered and vaccinated cats. This information must be provided to the assistant vice president for operations division in September, December and May of each year. In support of this requirement, the Operations Division will purchase, maintain and check out to the Texas Tech University Feral Cat Coalition President, two wildlife cameras. These cameras will be used for the sole purpose of monitoring the feral cat population and their activities.

The approved number of cats allowed on campus is _______. This number is an estimate of the population, must be the registered number on record with the City and must be submitted to the assistant vice president for operations in September, December, and May of each year.

It is the responsibility of the TTUFCC to trap, spray/neuter, tip ears, and vaccinate 5 cats per semester (fall, spring and summer) and place those animals up for adoption or return to an approved habitat on campus. This information (picture/vet record) must be filed with the assistant vice president of operations in September, December and May of each year.

TTUFCC will be responsible for trapping and placing for adoption, once weaned, all litters of kittens located on campus. If the TTUFCC fails to respond or is unable to respond to this charge within 48 hours, the Operations Division will have the right to trap and relocate or place for adoption.

In the event of an aggressive, diseased or injured animal, the Operations Division and/or the Texas Tech Police Department has the responsibility to the feral cat and campus population to use any and all means necessary in controlling a situation.

Welcome to Our Web Site!

Funds help us provide food, shelter, health care and spay/neuter services for the stray and feral cats on the UNT campus. The SECC charity code for our group is 295071. Learn more about the SECC campaign in the Denton Campaign Area brochure.

If this is your first visit to our site, chances are that you’ve found or need help with a stray or feral cat. Our group does not have a shelter and currently we have no fosters available to take found strays or feral cats. The UNT Feral Cat Rescue Group serves mainly as an information, education and referral source.

Established in 1996, the Perpetual Pet Care Program is a comprehensive program designed to provide animals with loving homes once an owner is no longer able to provide daily care.

Enrollment benefits include:

Performing an extensive search to locate a loving home;

Providing for your pet’s lifelong medical needs;

Monitoring of the adoptive home; and

Designating your charitable interest.

For more than a century, the College of Veterinary Medicine has provided care for animals. This expansive network will support every aspect of your pet’s adoption and life.

Enrolling your pet

Deciding how best to care for your pet can be difficult, but enrolling your pet in the Perpetual Pet Care Program ­is easy. KSU Foundation staff members who work with the College of Veterinary Medicine will guide you through the process. This includes obtaining detailed information about your pet’s home life & coveted daily routines.

Your financial gift will first provide for your pet’s lifelong medical needs. After your pet passes away, the remaining funds will support an area of the college most meaningful to you.

There are numerous funding options:

cash, bequests, charitable gift annuity, charitable remainder unitrust, gifts of securities, life insurance & real estate. Please contact the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Development Office for details. Tax deductibility will be determined in accordance with IRS, state & federal regulations.

Profiles Read a few profiles of families just like yours who have enrolled their pets in the Perpetual Pet Care Program.

Brad and Jeanita McNulty

Brad McNulty surfed the Internet on a quest. As a certified public accountant, Brad had estate-planning experience and he knew his personal situation was unusual. He had only a vague idea of what to look for when he found a Website that looked promising. He scrolled down the page & saw an intriguing link to the Perpetual Pet Care Program (PPCP) at the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine.

A recent job transfer had taken Brad & his wife, Jeanita, away from relatives in their home state of South Dakota. Living in Blue Grass, Iowa, they became concerned that if anything ever happened to them, no one would be there to take care of their “family” — six basset hounds named Kelsey, Festus, Sadie, Harley, Watson & Sophie. (Since pets are usually considered to be property, the PPCP helped solve problems of planning for their dogs’ care, while it would also fund scholarships & research in the College of Veterinary Medicine.) Because Brad & Jeanita didn’t have any connection to K-State, they wanted to learn more about the program in person.

“We had a trip planned to Kansas City anyway,” said Jeanita, who is a part-time librarian. “We decided at that time we would drive to Manhattan to see what we thought of the facilities & the people.”

The McNultys, pet owners for more than 20 years, had visited other veterinary college facilities at both Colorado State & Iowa State universities. They had very strong ideas about choosing the right place for their basset hounds.

“We wanted to get a feeling for how the facility would take care of our animals,” Brad said. “The people at KSU all seem to have that same level of caring & concern for the program that we do for our bassets. We found what we believed to be a perfect match.”

“We were very impressed,” Jeanita said.

Brad & Jeanita’s first dogs were a collie mix named “Cody” & a cockapoo named “Blackie.” Later Jeanita decided she wanted to have a basset hound, so they picked out a puppy, whom they named “Lady Baxter III” or “Baxter” for short.

“Don’t ask why I wanted a basset hound,” Jeanita said. “It’s kind of a mystery, even to me.”

Over the years they acquired other basset hounds & even rescued one they found abandoned at the side of a highway. The dog was in poor shape & had been left to die. Naming him “Festus,” after the Gunsmoke character, they took him home & helped nurse him back to health. Despite their efforts, something still wasn’t quite right. It turned out that Festus was blind. Although Festus requires extra attention, he fits right in with their other basset hounds.

The McNultys made sure their Iowa home would properly accommodate their dogs. They built the house with a heated garage/kennel & a doggy door that leads to a spacious 10,000-square-foot fenced backyard.

“They like to chase each other & keep each other company,” Brad said.

“When Brad leaves in the morning, Watson will get the others howling, like a chorus,” Jeanita said. “They do their little song until I come out. They must think they’re home alone because when I let them know I’m there, they quiet down.”

Soon after their visit to Manhattan, the McNultys decided to make a commitment of $500,000 to enroll their basset hounds in the PPCP.

“The McNultys were clearly focused on finding the best available health care for their pets,” said Dr. Roger Fingland, director of the teaching hospital. “They were interested in developing a relationship with a veterinary hospital that was capable of providing exceptional care for their pets, regardless of the condition. We were pleased that they decided to associate with the Veterinary Health Center after evaluating several programs. We look forward to working with them to provide the level of medical care they desire. The McNultys are special people and we are fortunate to have them as friends of the teaching hospital.”

“Ever since we’ve had our dogs, we’ve always taken excellent care of them — the best we could,” Brad said. “The cost of treatment or anything of that nature has never been an issue, so we were looking for some place that could continue that level of care.”

Because Brad & Jeanita’s first basset hound, Baxter, died from cancer a year ago, they made sure that K-State was equipped to deal with that disease.

“They have MRI technology, which is very impressive,” Jeanita said. “They seem to have everything to provide the best care possible.”

“If one of our other dogs gets sick, we will do everything possible to get our dog to Kansas State,” Brad said.

Norma Jean and Lou Ball

Lou & Norma Jane Ball were in their 70s when they bought purebred Himalayan litter mates —Tiffany & Coco — in 1992. The “kids,” as the Balls refer to them, are the couple’s only family members.

“Norma Jane & I got into a conversation that we were at the age that we did not know if we could take care of the kids,” Lou says. “We needed to give them a good opportunity to have a good life. In the conversation, we came to the conclusion that we could get the care we were looking for by working with the veterinary college.”

They came to this natural conclusion after two decades of positive experiences with the Veterinary Health Center. Before Tiffany & Coco, the couple had a Persian, Danny Boy.

“Our association with the clinic has been continuous from the day we got Danny Boy to today,”Lou said. “By using the teaching hospital, we have received the best in treatment and knowledge.”

The couple approached Dr. Jake Mosier, then hospital director, about their idea. The Balls looked to the hospital to find a home for Tiffany & Coco when they needed one.

“We sat down & outlined what we wanted to have provided, and Dr. Mosier outlined what he thought they could provide,” Lou said.

The cats’ future home needed to meet certain stringent requirements, & for their efforts, the Balls would provide financial assistance to the College of Veterinary Medicine through a trust. The agreement required that Tiffany & Coco would continue to receive excellent care, just as it was at home. They signed the agreement in February 1996. That agreement evolved into the Perpetual Pet Care Program. Today, there are 20+ families with 76 animals enrolled in the program with a giving commitment of $4.3 million.

“I’m glad that people are thinking about how to provide for their pets,” Lou said.

Through a bequest, the pets’ medical care is covered for life. The remaining balance can be designated to support initiatives such as hospital renovations, programs & services. February 2006 marked the 10th anniversary of signing the Balls’ agreement & the creation of the program. Both Coco & Tiffany passed away in the last few years, but as original members of the Perpetual Pet Care Program, they helped pave the way to ensure other pets will be cared for when the owners can no longer provide daily care.

Gene Dickinson

Like many pet owners & lovers, Gene Dickinson was concerned for years about the fate of his dog if he became unable to provide proper care. But his concerns disappeared when he discovered K-State’s Perpetual Pet Care Program.

Gene & his four-year-old Siberian husky, Tiger, have been constant companions since Gene’s wife passed away last year. His closest living relatives are cousins, but he was not sure they would be receptive to adopting his pet.

“I worried about what would happen to Tiger once I’m gone,” said Gene, who prospered in the film producing & communications fields before retiring in El Dorado, Kansas in 1998. “I wanted to make sure that he’s not going to end up on the streets or, worse yet, be put to sleep. I want him to be adopted into a good home so he will be well cared for & happy.”

Gene, who is a 1956 K-State graduate of the College of Arts & Sciences, recently committed $25,000 to the Perpetual Pet Care Program within the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine to provide Tiger a secure future. The program makes certain that each companion animal who is enrolled in the program will receive proper housing, health services & companionship after the owner is no longer able to provide care. In accordance with the owner’s wishes, the pet then will be adopted to a loving, suitable home.

Gene decided to contact the College of Veterinary Medicine after speaking with his local veterinarians, Dr. Glenn Hoskinson (DVM ’57) & Dr. Michael Cocke (DVM ’80) of Augusta Animal Clinic in Augusta, Kansas. They referred the pet owner to K-State for a solution to his problem.

“The close relationship between Gene & Tiger is very evident,” Dr. Hoskinson said. “It’s obvious that he loves his dog & cares well for him.”

Tiger, who spends most days fulfilling his security duties & lounging around the house, is described by his owner as very intelligent, loyal & protective. He is a vocal pet who “speaks” to his owner. The type & tone of the dog’s verbal expressions change significantly depending upon the circumstances.

Gene has gained peace of mind by knowing that his love will continue to be felt even if something should happen to him.

Robin and Becky Roeckers

Robin & Becky Roeckers, Berryton, KS, have enrolled their two miniature horses, two cats & five dogs in the Perpetual Pet Care Program.

The Roeckers have always been concerned about the safety of animals. They are members of an Irish Setter Rescue program called “Save Our Setters” that helps rescue & place abandoned setters in foster homes across the country.

“We see so many abandoned dogs through our rescue program, & we didn’t want to see that happen to our animals,” said Robin, a procurement officer for the City of Topeka. “Because we don’t have any children & our relatives are unable to take our pets, we wanted to be sure our pets have a secure, healthy, loving environment if we were gone,” Becky added.

The Roeckers searched the country for a program that would provide for the long term needs of their pets, but the ideal program was closer then they thought. During a visit to the Veterinary Health Center with their two miniature horses for a routine check up, the Roeckers saw a brochure for the Perpetual Pet Care Program in the waiting room. The standard of care their animals have continually received at the VHC helped support their decision to get involved with the program.

“We had been looking for a way to provide for them, should something happen to us, but I could not find anything,” Becky said. “When we found the Perpetual Pet Care Program, we knew that it was the type of program we wanted.”

“We like the program because we know our animals will receive the best care, & this program has a strong foundation,” Robin said.

Once their pets no longer need the funds, the Roeckers’ endowment will go to the area of greatest need in the teaching hospital & establish a scholarship fund for a veterinary student. “We want to help a student who shares the same views about helping animals. That is why we set up the scholarship,” said Becky, a biologist in the Waste Water Division Laboratory of Topeka and 1985 K-State graduate.

“It’s gratifying to know that people such as the Roeckers appreciate what we try to teach our students every day – to provide compassionate & high-quality veterinary care to every animal we treat,” said Dr. Ralph Richardson, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “Their gift to the VHC will be a constant reminder that we have a daily opportunity to provide veterinary services to clients who really care.”

We all know the disappointment of locating a microchip in a found pet, only to discover the chip is unregistered. Ensure the pets you are adopting out are not among those and resolve to register each pet in 2014.

In partnership with HomeAgain, for each chip you register your organization will earn a FREE microchip. When you have earned 25 microchips, a box will be sent to you and you will continue to earn free chips. In total, Petfinder members saved over $593,000 in 2013 by earning free microchips through the Chip FurKeeps program!

Educating adopters on the importance of microchipping and keeping contact information updated is an important part of a successful microchipping program. In addition to earning free microchips with each registration, Petfinder and HomeAgain are offering your adopters a discounted registration fee of $10.99 for the first year. This includes LIFETIME microchip registration and the ability to update contact information at no cost.

Adopt 2-legged dog “Roo:” www.LifeWithDogs.TV & www.BDAR.orgIf you ask Roo, the two-legged, 1-year-old black and white poodle/shih tzu mix from Cheyenne, Wyo., all he wants for Christmas is a home. This energetic and lovable dog came to Black Dog Animal Rescue (BDAR) after spending some time at the Laramie Peak Humane Society in Douglas, Wyo. Roo doesn’t have front legs due to a birth defect, but his disability does not stop him from enjoying life. According to BDAR, Roo’s motto is “No legs? No problem!”

“This little guy is a shining example of determination and adaptability. He is simply amazing!” states BDRA’s website. “His tail is always wagging and he always has a smile on his face. [Roo] gets around by hopping everywhere he goes. He follows his foster mom’s every move and when they get to where they’re going he either sits on his haunches or lies down until it’s time to get moving again.”

Roo ended up at the Laramie Peak Humane Society a month ago after his previous owners realized his special needs were something they could not take on.

Fortunately for Roo, he was placed into foster care immediately. His foster parents, Emilee Intlekofer and her husband Casey have fostered other dogs before and say that Roo a delightful pet.

Despite having just two legs, Roo is able to do what most four-legged dogs do.

“To eat and drink, Roo bends at a 90 degree angle and holds himself that way with his ‘abs of steel,’” said DBRA. “When he uses the restroom, he does all his business standing straight up and he never soils himself.”

The only thing Roo needs help with is when it comes to climbing up or down stairs.

“I have to carry him up and down stairs,” said Intlekofer.

The ideal family for Roo will be one that is willing to dedicate a lot of time to work with this lovable dog. Roo is still not 100% potty trained but he is working on that. He also suffers from separation anxiety, but this is very common in dogs that have been moved around from home to home at a young age.

“We want to make sure whoever takes him home understands there’s the possibility other things could come up later in his lifetime as a result of this,” Britney Wallesch, BDRA founder, told Wyoming News.

If you are looking to grant a homeless dog a Christmas wish this year, consider adopting Roo or any one BDRA pet. Visit their website at www.bdar.org to fill out an application. Please know that BDRA’s adoption program is 100 percent volunteer-run, therefore follow-up time can take longer than with a standard-shelter adoption.

San Angelo, TX’ city government: regarding a feral-cat colony that was under attack by the city shelter summer ’13. The city first claimed the information was privileged. We wrote the TX Attorney General who said the information was not privileged information. Then the city came back with the an estimate of $1,200. 00 just to view the requested documents – because it would take 70 hours of work – really? to perform a computer search?

ResQpaws Volunteer Organization Yuba City, CA Animal Advocates of the U.S. – Santa Monica Chapter Santa Monica, CA Nine Lives Foundation in Redwood City 650-368-1365 You’ll need to be persistent with this one, but they are very considerate. North County Humane in Atascadero, CA805-466-5403 & slonchs.info@gmail.com with a high-adoption rate for felv’s & very reputable. Ten Lives Foundation in Santa Barbara 805-637-6501. It’s a sanctuary and also very reputable. CFA Purebred Rescue – Not entirely no kill, but a valuable resource if dealing with purebred cats Friends of Cats, 501c3 with two sanctuary sites in San Diego County: Lakeside, CA & in the City of San Diego, CA

www.CrashsLanding.org/FivAndFelv.html & CrashCat@CrashsLanding.org Intake procedure at our sanctuary, the largest of its kind in the state of Michigan. Because we are one of the very few rescues dedicated to housing and ultimately finding homes for these special kitties, space is limited to 130 cats at all times, and we always have a waiting list for intake. Our waiting list is usually that of a dozen cats or more at any given time, and since we can only open our doors for a ‘newbie’ when we either place a cat into a home or on a sadder note lose one, the waiting period can range from weeks to months. If your positive kitty is a native Michigander (smitten with the mitten), you are welcome to join our waiting list. We do have a few program requirements:

~ the cat must indeed be a stray cat or one that has been knowingly abandoned by its owner, not one that has owners that wish to re-home the cat

~ the cat has to be spayed or neutered prior to arrival and must be older than 6 months of age

~ for the cat’s protection, and since we house our FIV cats with our Felv cats, all vaccines need to be at least started prior to arrival (Rabies, FVRCP and Feleuk, when applicable); also flea control and internal parasite check/de-worming is mandatory

~ the cat has to be tame and able to be picked up and handled with ease; since we are a cage-free facility, we cannot open our doors to ferals or those that would be categorized as a bite risk.

~ when the time comes for your cat to be transported, we will notify you via email. Our intake days are Mondays and Tuesdays, from 8-4pm at the veterinary clinic, not the actual shelter, where I am employed (Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic, 4245 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming, MI 49509 @ 616-531-0455). Special arrangements can be made if necessary for intake a different day of the week, but we are not available on weekends. You may also make arrangements to visit our sanctuary when you deliver your cat to us, as it is only 15 minutes north of the vet clinic (781 College NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49509) Please respond directly to this email if the above sounds good to you and we will be sure to put your stray on our list of soon-to-be Sid’s Kids! Any questions, feel free to ask! And thank you for making the extra effort it takes to rescue and place these special kitties- they are worth it! Dr. Jen Petrovich, Founder Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary Saving our little corner of the world…one cat at a time

*** The Best Little Cat House In Harrisburg, PAwww.TheBestLittleCatHhouseInPA.com & Cats@TheBestLittleCatHouseInPA.com & Lyn at 717-469-2540 … any cat that is living a good quality of life, or has an excellent prognosis of recovering to live a good quality of life once rehabilitated DESERVES a chance! We support The Asilomar Accords +1. What does the +1 mean? It’s simple, it means that while we support the typical ideals of the general “No Kill” community, it also means we take it one step farther, to include all asymptomatic FELV+ and FIV+ cats, as well as any other cat in danger of being discriminated against due to medical limitation or disability! … We take exception to Asilomar Accord Part III, Unhealthy and Untreatable, Paragraph 2: “(2) are suffering from a disease, injury, or congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects the animal’s health or is likely to adversely affect the animal’s health in the future, and are not likely to become “healthy” or “treatable” even if provided the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring pet owners/guardians in the community;” … We feel that it is unfair to condemn an animal to death for something that COULD happen many years in the future. We feel that QUALITY or life is much more important than quantity of life – even short lives deserve to be lived! We also believe that the “typically provided” care that the average pet receives should not be the end all cut off point to which we should “give up” on an animal. Special pets happen, and there ARE special people out there willing to provide exceptional care for EXCEPTIONS to this rule! We believe that there are conditions that are not treatable and that do cause disability, that do not cause suffering, like Cerebellar Hypoplasia, Blindness, and Terminal Heart conditions. We do not feel these cats are candidates for Euthanasia! … Then, there’s the simple fact… To us, you can’t be “No Kill” if you’re still routinely euthanising healthy, asymptomatic cats because of a test result! …The Best Little Cat House is also, highly recommended by Dee Hawkins, who has first-hand, extremely positive experiences with The Best Little Cat House InHarrisburg, PA: BritDog15@Aol.com in Charlottesville, VA: 434-531-4355

Suzie’s Zoo Sanctuary For Special Needs Kitties To donate through PayPal: SuziesZoo@ICloud.comalso SuziesZoo2@Outlook.com May sunshine and serenity fill your days and love and laughter fill your life. Suzanne Melton